Originally posted by cardriver
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I understand that this thread might be going in different directions, but hey, just let us discuss 
. (to the Mods who constantly say "Hey go to this thread, or use the search function, or create a new thread...but when we do those things, they get angry at us for reviving an old relevant thread, or they get mad at us for creating a new thread etc. Catch-22 and they just like to yell at us; phew that felt good.)
. (to the Mods who constantly say "Hey go to this thread, or use the search function, or create a new thread...but when we do those things, they get angry at us for reviving an old relevant thread, or they get mad at us for creating a new thread etc. Catch-22 and they just like to yell at us; phew that felt good.)
Mr. Bella Machina, maybe you could offer your opinion some more .
Would you say the consensus is that if one intends to have success on a variety of cars with his "normal" DA like the G110/7424, he should be using LC pads?
.Would you say the consensus is that if one intends to have success on a variety of cars with his "normal" DA like the G110/7424, he should be using LC pads?
Meguiar's pads, particularly the So1o and SoftBuff 2.0 pads have many desirable design features. The backing plate mounting is recessed, which prevents the backing plate or Velcro material from damaging the paint and center's the plate to the pad. The edges of the pad are rounded or beveled, so the prevent the creation of pressure spots that can stall the rotation of the pad or create marring, particularly on a rotary buffer.
And they use very high quality foams: The 7207 foam is really amazing, capable of removing defects will little to know surface scouring.
Lake Country is a dedicated pad manufacturer, so they have some distinct advantages over Meguiar's. They come in a variety of smaller (and larger) sizes; most people find that smaller diameter pads work better for them on a Dual Action Polisher.
But they have a big down fall: Lake Country makes their pads to their customers design specifications, so all Lake Country pads are not created equal. Ordering a pad for them is likely checking an order sheet at a car dealership...
Do you want rounded edges? Do you want the backing material to be back cut or do you want it to run across the entire back of the pad? Do you want the backing area raised, flat, or recessed. As you add on desirable options the pads become more expensive to make, purchase, then sell. If you look at some of the vendors that sell their version of Lake Country pads you will notice that some vendors sell pads that feature no options and other vendors have highly optioned pads. This creates confusion in the market that Meguiar's doesn't have worry about. All Meguiar's pads are created equally and have the highest quality features.
So as a whole you always know the quality you get with Meguiar's pads, with Lake Country you are more at the mercy of the vendor.
The main problem is going to be using a 7 inch pad on a random orbital polisher, as the size (and friction) caused by the pad can bog the motor down. The larger size of the pad makes it less efficient then a smaller pad as it absorbs more of the orbital motion of the machine.
I think if you tweak your technique with a 7 inch pad you can get it to work (and work well) with a Dual Action polisher however. Remember you asked for my advice, so here goes...
You need to use more pressure with a larger diameter pad. Because the size of the pad means that it is less efficient at transferring the motion of the machine to the paint (the pad absorbs it) the pad needs to be compressed further.
Keep in mind that a larger pad will spin slower anyways (because of the increased contact area of the pad on the paint) and adding more pressure will slow that reduced rotation even more. This is the trade off of using a larger pad, you have to add pressure to make the foam more efficient, but you do loose the rotational speed of the pad.
You do not want the pad to stop rotating completely, but use enough firm pressure to keep it turning at a steady pace.
Use the largest backing plate you can fit on the pad to make sure the pressure is evenly distributed over the pad. If you are using a pad that doesn't have rounded edges you may want to use a smaller backing plate to keep the edge of the pad from digging into the paint.
Use speed 6, with firm pressure, and slow movement. If you notice the pad begin to stall (stop rotating) then ease up just a bit and continue moving.
Because out of the last 5 cars that I did (99BMW, 97Ford, 03Honda, 07Maserati, 09Honda) w/my G110, Meguiars Pads +m105&m205...the new Honda was the only car where I achieved any appreciable level correction, really.
Focus on working a small area, 18 x 18 inch's, with firm pressure, and slow over lapping passes.
The reason I say you might need a little adjustment to your techinque is that I have gotten very good correction using SoftBuff 2.0 pads on a Dual-Action polisher and so far countless others. It might just be a small tweak is needed to dial in the feel of that system.
I've been considering the Flex for a while (because I've been disappointed w/ the G110 (or maybe it's the SoftBuff 2.0 yellow pads that I use...!?), but I'm giving the G110 a second shot. Hence, my recent purchase of 2 5.5'' LC oranges, and one white.
What's your take? Notice how I use the flat, SB 2.0 yellow pads, and have little success.
I can hardly see the wet sanding marks at all! 
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